Mandai Park Holdings

Environmental Impact Assessment, Non-Technical Summary 1.

Introduction The Project Mandai Safari Park Holdings Pte Ltd (MSPH) has submitted a The Project involves the development of approximately proposal for the development of new attractions (the Project) 35.4 ha of land to the west of the existing Singapore . to complement the existing nature based attractions in the Historically, the land included a village, farmland and the Mandai area. The Project area, which includes land that has Mandai orchid farm. This land is currently disused. In been identified for development since 2007, is located outside addition, there will also be redevelopment within the land of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve (CCNR). area currently leased by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS). The total area for development is 63.94 ha. There will be no development within the CCNR.

The new attractions will comprise a rainforest-themed park; a new bird park to replace the existing Jurong Bird Park; an indoor facility for conservation, research and educational programs and exhibitions; accommodation and camping facilities; and public amenities including food and beverage outlets. Development of these new attractions will require modifications to existing facilities, infrastructure and utilities such as parking areas, drainage systems, pedestrian boardwalks, and the upgrading of Mandai Lake Road.

A central component of the conceptual design is a forested

Eco-Link to establish connectivity between two fragmented As part of the planning and design process, MSPH sections of the CCNR on either side of Mandai Lake Road.

commissioned an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Project. The EIA process commenced with the screening and scoping of possible environmental impacts in late 2014. Baseline environmental surveys of the Project area then commenced in March 2015 to characterise the sensitivity of the environment that may be affected by the Project. The impact assessment involved the prediction and evaluation of environmental impacts from the construction and operation of the Project based on the concept design. This enabled the establishment of measures to mitigate impacts, which will be monitored in accordance with an Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP).

Stakeholder Engagement Conceptual Master Plan There has been extensive engagement with external stakeholders, including government agencies and nature Development Of The Concept Design groups, throughout the progression of the concept design, From the outset of the planning stage, guiding principles were masterplan and EIA. This has enabled potential impacts to be developed in consultation with agencies to inform the identified and measures to be incorporated into the concept conceptualisation process. These included minimising the design and EMMP in order to avoid or mitigate these impacts. Project footprint to protect and retain habitats and areas of Stakeholder engagement will continue beyond the EIA and into the detailed design, construction and operational phases.

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high value, and the facilitation of connectivity These locations were switched following a review of the EIA between habitats. baseline survey results that indicated higher biodiversity values of the land (in particular, the presence of more mature trees) During the masterplanning stage, experts also worked to the north of Mandai Lake Road. Relocating the Rainforest collaboratively with MSPH to develop a concept design which Park to the north of Mandai Lake Road will better protect the incorporates environmental impact minimisation measures existing forest, as the mature trees can be integrated into the following the mitigation hierarchy of “avoid, minimise, Rainforest Park design. manage, and compensate”. Some of the key measures integrated into the concept design are as follows: Buffer Zones Land will be set aside within the Project area to maintain a 45 Eco-Link m to 50 m wide buffer zone between the eastern boundaries Several designs for an Eco-Link were considered to establish of the development and the CCNR, to minimise potential edge connectivity between the two fragmented sections of the effects and disturbance to flora and fauna within the CCNR. CCNR on either side of Mandai Lake Road. The configuration There will be no development or vegetation clearance (except selected aims to maximise ground-level connectivity across for the purpose of constructing the Eco-Link) within the buffer Mandai Lake Road for species within the CCNR. The Eco-Link zone and fencing will be erected to prevent unauthorised will also be wholly constructed within a buffer area outside of human access to the CCNR. the CCNR, avoiding any direct impact on vegetation and trees within the CCNR. Walkways and Boardwalks The pedestrian walkways and boardwalks have also been Combining the Planet Explorer and Sri Seletar Point Facilities designed to be sensitive to the movement of indigenous The original plan was to build the educational/conferencing wildlife and have been routed to avoid the areas of high facilities, known as Planet Explorer and Sri Seletar Point, as biodiversity value. separate buildings along the reservoir edge. This was subsequently modified to incorporate both facilities into a single building constructed on the existing WRS carpark to Baseline Environment reduce the building footprint and avoid any impact on the nearby forested area, which is of high biodiversity value. Field surveys were undertaken within and surrounding the Other areas of high biodiversity value, e.g. the mature forest Project area to establish the baseline environmental north of the existing and Mandai Lake Road, were conditions, including: also delineated as areas which will be avoided and protected. • Surface water quality; Location of Arrival Nodes • Soil and groundwater; The initial plan incorporated a single arrival area for members • Ambient noise; of the public, at the eastern side of the Project area adjacent • Ambient air quality; and to the CCNR. To avoid introducing a large number of visitors to • Ecology and biodiversity. one arrival area next to the CCNR, the concept design evolved to incorporate two arrival nodes, one to the west and one to Existing water features in the Project area include perimeter the east of the CCNR. This change helps to spread out visitors drains, roadside drains, an unnamed stream and the Upper and diverts a significant proportion of visitors away from the Seletar Reservoir. Baseline surveys were conducted close to sensitive areas around the CCNR. where construction and operational activities will take place. The survey results indicated that water quality at these areas Location of the Bird Park and Rainforest Park were within regulatory limits. The location for the new Bird Park was originally planned to be on the north side of Mandai Lake Road, while the southern Soil and groundwater surveys were undertaken at locations area of Mandai Lake Road was going to be a Rainforest Park. based on a review of the historical land use and the proposed underground structures, such as carparks. The analytical

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results were within standards and were typical of the natural Environmental Impacts During Construction variation in Singapore. Groundwater in the Project area ranges from 0.8 to 6.0 m below ground level and generally flows Sources northwest and away from the Upper Seletar Reservoir. The conceptual design of the Project and potential construction activities were reviewed and key sources of Noise was monitored at selected locations and was environmental impacts identified. The main activities that will supplemented by short-term measurements and vehicular generate impacts during the construction phase will include traffic counts. Noise was monitored at levels up to 75 dB(A) vegetation clearance, earthworks, demolition, piling and near Mandai Lake Road, whereas noise levels in the forested excavation. Environmental impacts may also possibly arise areas away from Mandai Lake Road were up to 69 dB(A). from accidental or unplanned events. Ambient noise at locations south of Mandai Lake Road was influenced by natural sounds and overhead aircraft with the The assessment factored in potential interactions between the highest noise level recorded at 73 dB(A). Noise within the impacts from the Project and impacts from other future existing Singapore Zoo was found to range between 43 and 78 developments, which are unrelated to the Project but may dB(A). occur in the area if the construction phases were to coincide. Termed as cumulative impacts, the consideration of these

Particulate matter less than 10 microns in diameter (PM 10 ) was encouraged a holistic evaluation of the environmental risks measured to establish the ambient air quality due to existing associated with the Project. emission sources such as vehicular traffic along Mandai Road and Mandai Lake Road. Results taken during the south-east Environmental Impacts monsoon period were generally within the Singapore air Environmental impacts associated with the Project were found quality targets, while the inter-monsoon survey was adversely in relation to habitats and species, groundwater; elevated affected by haze from forest fires in Indonesia last year. light; noise and vibration levels; and pollution to water and air.

The biodiversity surveys undertaken were completed by local Dust will be generated from earth-moving activities specialists, including specialists from the National University of undertaken during the construction phase and during the Singapore and Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. The transport of construction materials. Visitors and staff in groups of flora and fauna surveyed were selected to provide a adjacent WRS sites as well as flora and fauna within the CCNR representative coverage of the biodiversity of the site. Forest and buffer zone will experience an increase in dust levels. mapping was undertaken to identify the distribution of habitats within the site to determine species associations and Mitigation measures were developed to reduce impacts important habitats for species that utilise the site. associated with dust generation to a level as low as reasonably practicable. These include using water to suppress dust and Findings from the biodiversity field surveys highlighted a enclosing buildings to be demolished. With these mitigation number of internationally and nationally threatened species measures in place, air quality impacts from construction and (such as the Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica ) and Straw- vehicular movement are not expected to create significant headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus zeylanicus )) within the Project impacts. area. A significant number of exotic and invasive plant species (such as the Cecropia pachystachya tree and African tulip The Project is located close to the Upper Seletar Reservoir and (Spathodea campanulata )) were also identified within the other surface streams within the Sungei Mandai Water Project area. Catchment Area that serve critical water supply and ecological functions. Mitigation measures to reduce this impact level to as low as reasonably practicable focus on reducing spillage and earth movement, good material storage practices and waste control. Earth Control measures will also be developed and implemented to ensure that perimeter drains (existing or temporary provisions) are maintained to capture any

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contaminated runoff and other discharges from the worksite degradation of habitats by accidental introduction of invasive during construction. Discharge of pumped groundwater to the species or accidental release of pollutants, and potential Upper Seletar Reservoir and surface streams will also be increase in populations of species requiring management such prohibited; this and other wastewater will be treated and as the and the Wild Boar. removed from the site in compliance with PUB standards. A wildlife monitoring programme within and around the Mitigation measures developed to reduce impacts to soil and Project area will be initiated during the early stages of the groundwater include allocating designated, bunded areas for Project development and will continue through to operating vehicle maintenance and mechanical repairs, as well as the the new facilities. This will monitor the effects on fauna so monitoring of groundwater quality and flow gradients. that additional measures can be taken, as necessary.

Elevated noise levels are anticipated from demolition works, With appropriate mitigation measures, most of the impacts piling and the operation of construction equipment and heavy that could threaten the viability/function of populations or vehicles. In order to reduce noise impacts to as low as habitats in the study area can be significantly reduced. reasonably practicable, the project will restrict construction to daytime hours, adopt quieter piling methods and install acoustic barriers at appropriate locations. Regular noise monitoring will be undertaken to ensure compliance against regulated limits.

Once the sites of former plantations and villages, the Project area has been earmarked for development by the government. With the earlier removal of these settlements and the time-lag between clearance and development, some secondary regeneration of the forests has occurred within this land which has been impacted from earlier uses.

Construction will result in a reduction in habitat resources, disturbance and displacement of wildlife and restrictions to wildlife movement in the land earmarked for development.

The main Project components have been designed to preserve (Top) Secondary forest at the Project area. (Bottom) Wildlife found in the existing habitats and to restore connectivity by establishing study area include the Spotted Tree Frog (Vulnerable – SRDB; Near Threatened – IUCN) and the Straw-headed Bulbul (Endangered – SRDB; land buffers adjacent to the CCNR, retaining vegetation within Vulnerable – IUCN). the Project area to limit the amount of vegetation clearance required, and building an Eco-Link across Mandai Lake Road. A multi-phased construction and park opening approach is Two areas of significant forest value will also be retained recommended to reduce impacts on species. In addition, the within the Project area and will not be developed. Project will implement a Wildlife Protection Plan to manage impacts to wildlife during construction with the aim of Focus was placed on reducing the impacts to threatened protecting and retaining key species and habitats. Restoration species and habitats identified from the baseline study, of the site will commence at the onset of construction including nationally critically such as the according to a Forest Restoration Plan and efforts will continue Sunda Pangolin and Lesser Mousedeer. through the Project lifespan. During construction, invasive and weed species will be managed. Training will also be provided Measures are also in place to significantly reduce the to all workers on site to educate them about the ecological possibility of other effects such as potential mortality of sensitivities at the Project area and to enforce good animals from accidental vehicle or equipment strikes,

0292668_EIA NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY MANDAI SAFARI PARK HOLDINGS 4 behaviours. Measures implemented will include long-term ensure that traffic is managed so any impacts to local air monitoring to gather data that will inform future management quality are reduced to as low as reasonably practicable. decisions. Where available, data from surrounding committed developments will also be integrated with the long-term The Project will treat animal waste water to national standards monitoring reviews. at dedicated on-site treatment plants before discharging it outside water catchment. Environmental Management and Monitoring Mitigation measures for the Project were developed in The establishment of the Project will lead to an increase in conjunction with MSPH, masterplanners, technical agencies paved and impervious areas, therefore increasing the amount and ecology specialists. The mitigation measures, along with of surface runoff. In accordance with the Project’s corresponding monitoring requirements, are documented in commitment to prohibit discharge of polluted surface runoff to an EMMP. The aim of the EMMP is to ensure compliance the Upper Seletar Reservoir, additional drainage infrastructure with the mitigation measures identified under the impact will be put in place. A surface water monitoring programme assessment, and to monitor the environmental impacts of the will be implemented to track the effectiveness of the project implementation such that corrective actions can be mitigation measures and inform the response to changes in taken and necessary modifications made to the Project should water quality. there be any exceedance in impact level. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of key members of the Project team, Operational impacts to habitats and species include the reporting requirements and management of change creation of barriers to wildlife movement from the built procedures. environment, risk of introduction of invasive species and diseases to native populations, noise impacts, and potential Environmental Impacts During Operations animal escapees from the Project into the CCNR and surrounding areas. The Project will take ownership of the The operation phase of the Project presents an ongoing monitoring, maintenance and upkeep of the Eco-Link and opportunity for the rehabilitation and rejuvenation of the buffer areas during the operation phase, providing a safe Mandai area. While the activities during the construction pathway for wildlife to move between the northern and phase will cause impacts over the short term, the operation southern parts of the CCNR. The Forest Restoration Plan that phase seeks to reverse these impacts through habitat will be implemented includes measures to restore identified enhancement to leave a long-lasting positive legacy on native forest areas within the Project area. Visitor education will also biodiversity in the area. be conducted to promote awareness of responsible behaviours towards wildlife. Through design and operational protocols, Sources the Project will also reduce the likelihood of potential escape The activities undertaken during the operation phase differ of species and the introduction of invasive species. from those in construction phase. Maintenance of attractions, landscaping and animal husbandry have the potential to give Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan rise to environmental impacts during operations. The presence Similar to the construction phase, mitigation measures for the of exotic species and increases in vehicular traffic along operation phase were developed in conjunction with MSPH, Mandai Lake Road and Mandai Road, waste creation, littering masterplanners, government agencies and ecology specialists. events, and potential human-wildlife conflicts are anticipated. The mitigation measures and corresponding monitoring With more visitors coming to the area, this will invariably lead requirements are documented in the Project EMMP. to an increase in environmental emissions and human-induced events. Unplanned events such as fire, accidental spills and Conclusion overflow of stormwater from the surface water drainage system caused by a major rainfall event are additional In line with international best practice, an EIA has been potential sources of environmental impact. undertaken on the concept design of the MSPH development.

The concept design, masterplan and EIA have now integrated Environmental Impacts numerous measures to avoid, minimise, manage and The operation phase of the Project will see an increase in compensate for environmental impacts associated with a vehicular traffic along Mandai Lake Road and Mandai Road, development of this nature. With the implementation of increasing the volumes of air pollutants emitted. The Project measures contained in the EMMP, the EIA has concluded that has carried out a traffic impact assessment study that the majority of impacts can be reduced to a residual impact recommends improvements to traffic infrastructure to magnitude of small or below. accommodate the projected increase in vehicular traffic and to Periodic Project updates will be posted to: www.mandai.com .

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